All About the
Treadmills
Safety Guidelines
What is a treadmill?
 Device
used for walking or running while
staying in the same place
Treadmill Timeline: 2000 BC
 Treadmill
originated as a power source for
farmers, the primary use was to lift buckets
of water and grinding grain
Treadmill Timeline: 1818 AD
 Sir
William Cubit
promotes the use of
treadmills as
punishment for
prisoners. Prisoners
were required to
stand side by side on
a wheel and were
required to work 6
hour more hours per
day.
Treadmill Timeline: 1913
 First
US Patent of a treadmill training
machine
Treadmill Timeline: 1952
 Dr.
Robert Bruce began
using exercise treadmills to
diagnose heart and lung
disease
Treadmill Timeline: 1968
 Dr.
Kenneth Cooper
published research on the
benefits of aerobic
exercise
Treadmill Timeline: 1969
 William
Staub developed the first treadmill
for home use called the Pace Master 600
Treadmill Timeline: 1982
 Hudson
Aquatic created an underwater
treadmill which allows
people with arthritis the
benefits of walking, with
less pain on their joints
due to the buoyancy
created by the water
Treadmill Timeline: 1996
 Dr.
Seth Roberts
designed a treadmill
desk, allowing people that normally sit at
a work station to walk
at very slow speeds
while completing their
tasks. Some users
can walk up to 6 miles
per day.
Where are treadmill used
today?
Cardiac Rehabilitation
Facilities
Biomechanic
Institutes
Gyms
Where are treadmill used
today?
Running Stores
Olympic Training
Centers
University Athletics
Where are treadmill used
today?
NASA
Orthopedic Shoe Stores
Police & Fire Academies
Where are treadmill used
today?
Military Training Centers
Physical Therapy Clinics
What is a manual locomotion
therapy?
 Used
in rehabilitation
settings, therapists
will sit next to a
treadmill and move
the legs of a stroke
patient in order to
stimulate walking
movements to help
the patient learn how
to walk again.
What are the advantages of
treadmills?






Can be used any day or time regardless of
weather
Cushioned tread provides lower impact
compared to running on outdoor surfaces
Incline setting can be set for constant uphill
training
Ability to train at a consistent pace
User can watch TV, which prevents TV from
being a sedentary activity
User progress including distance, calories
burned and heart rate can be tracked
What are the disadvantages
of treadmills?

Many users find treadmills monotonous and
may lose interest

May cause runners to develop poor running
habits, arms close to body short gait

Does not offer sport specific training – no sport
actually uses treadmill running

Costs is much more significant than training
outside
Treadmill Safety/Injury
Concerns- Dizziness

Two reasons people can feel dizzy.

due to a lack of a cool down. A cool down returns
heart rate and blood pressure to resting levels and
helps prevent blood from pooling in the legs. A 5-10
minute cold down is recommended to prevent
dizziness.

Due to the inner ear balance receptors being
overstimulated while on the treadmill. Balance and
dizziness should subside after 5 minutes.
Treadmill Safety/Injury
Concerns- Falls
 Caused
by not looking forward which can
cause a person to lose balance and fall.
Also caused by people jumping off and
on treadmills while they are still running.
Treadmills need to be
placed at least 4 feet
away from a wall in the
event someone falls off
the back.
Treadmill Safety/Injury
Concerns- Friction Burn
 Occurs
when someone falls and the
treadmill continues to run rubbing the skin
raw. May require skin grafts and could
result in long-term disability
Treadmill Safety/Injury
Concerns- Lower Body Injuries
 Caused
by not wearing
proper shoes or not
wearing shoes at all.
Can cause blisters, heel
spurs and ankle, knee
and hip problems.
Treadmill Safety/Injury
Concerns- Upper Body Injuries
 Pain
and discomfort that is felt in wrist,
upper back, neck and lower back.
Caused by relying too much on the
handrails and not walking in an upright
position.
Treadmill Safety/Injury
Concerns- Hand Injuries
 Happens
more with children in the home,
kids will come up to a moving treadmill
and try to place their hand under the
moving belt. Can lead to friction burns
and broken fingers.
Preventing Treadmill Injuries
 Use
the safety tether
 Pause the treadmill if you need to step
off
 Straddle the belt when you start
 Maintain an upright position
 Keep your eyes forward
 Use handrails sparingly
 Wear appropriate shoes
Proper Body Alignment
 Keep
the back straight and torso
centered over the pelvis
 Keep the chest lifted and shoulders
drawn back
 Keep abdominals engaged
 Relax arms at the side
Safety Considerations

Never operate the treadmill if it has a damaged
cord or plug, not working properly or if water
has been spilled on it.

Keep the cord away from heated surfaces.
Never operate the treadmill with the air
openings blocked.

Keep the air openings free of lint, hair etc.
Never drop or insert any object into any
opening.

Changes in speed and incline do not occur
immediately, the treadmill will adjust gradually.
Safety Considerations Cont.
 Use
caution while walking or running,
distractions may cause you to lose balance
which could lead to serious injury. NO CELL
PHONES!
 Do
not use excessive pressure in the console
control keys.
 Safety
tether must be worn at all times.
 Mandatory
programs.
2 minute cool down on all
Programs

Manual

Hill

Fat Burn

Cardio

Strength

Interval
Getting Started

Turn the power switch on (located on
the front of the treadmill below the motor
cover). Safety key must be installed or the
treadmill will not work without it.

When power is turned on all the lights on the
display will light for a short time.

Treadmill will then enter idle mode, this is the
starting point for operation.
Cleaning and Maintenance
 Treadmill
users will clean the equipment after
every use with a gym wipe and remove any
trash. Additionally, students will complete a
deep cleaning of the treadmill weekly.
Cleaning the Treadmill:
Every Use
1.
Console
2.
Handles and
Heart Rate
Monitors
3.
Motor Covering
4.
Belt Side Panels
** Remove Trash
Cleaning the Treadmill:
Weekly
1.
Console
2.
Handles and Heart
Rate Monitors
3.
Motor Covering
4.
Belt Side Panels
5.
Mat under the
treadmill
** Remove Trash